Assistant/Associate Director of Athletics for Development

This position is responsible for helping meet the fundraising objectives of the USD Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Under the supervision of the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Development , this position will develop a comprehensive fundraising program for private support from faculty, staff, alumni, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, and individuals in the San Diego community and across the country to solicit donors at all levels of giving to the university but with particular emphasis on major gifts. Major gifts include those cash or property gifts of $25,000 or more. The director develops strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors for all Athletics fundraising priorities at the university.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Major Gift Officer

• Identify priority prospects annual, special, and major gift prospects and implement fundraising strategies.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned prospects.
• Achieve fundraising goals as established by the Senior Associate Athletics Director for specific metrics, including but not limited to dollars raised, contacts made, and proposals submitted; meet established capital campaign goals.
• Develop relationships with alumnae, parents, faculty, staff, and friends leading to solicitation of gifts that will result in increasing both the number and amount of contributions.
• Work closely with the Offices of Advancement Services, Foundation Relations, Alumni Relations, Parent and Family Relations, and other directors of development throughout the university to identify new qualified major gift prospect alums, parents, friends, faculty, corporations, and foundations.
• Work closely with the Office of Planned Giving to secure deferred and estate gifts.
• Work closely with the assistant vice president of Advancement Operations to identify new, qualified President Club and major gift prospects.
• Write proposals for major gift requests for capital project naming opportunities, unrestricted giving, sport-specific support, and other priorities as determined by Senior Associate Athletics Director.
• Develop and enhance relationships with alumni, parents and friends of the University of San Diego and engage them for philanthropic support through in-person visits and attendance/participation in campus activities and regional events.
• Identify and coordinate the efforts of volunteers and other staff members to be involved in the cultivation and solicitation process, as appropriate.
• Work cooperatively with all fundraising staff and directors at the university; develop relationships with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Fully comply with the university’s prospect management / move management system including the filing of donor/prospect Contact Reports.
• Attend conferences and professional development seminars to stay current with fundraising strategies and best practices.
• Participate in San Diego community events and activities as needed.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Athletics Development is a complex division with various responsibilities to the university-at-large, various institutional constituencies, the president, senior administrative staff, and the Board of Trustees. This employee’s personality and temperament are just as important as any particular skill. This employee must have the ability to maintain a professional demeanor, utilize tact and discretion, and maintain the strictest confidentiality.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in nonprofit development, sales and/or higher education preferred.
• Experience in NCAA Div. 1 Athletics preferred.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Commitment to working as a member of a team and collaborate with colleagues.
• Strong sense of integrity and ethical conduct.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity a must; ability to understand different cultural contexts and viewpoints, demonstrate respect for others, adapt to different cultural settings; and accept cultural differences.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire confidence, to motivate, and to persuade.
• Strong managerial and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of constituencies sufficient to render credibility in assessing fitness of prospects for major gifts.
• Ability to anticipate, recognize, and solve problems.
• Ability to organize time effectively, establish priorities, set and meet goals, and manage a large number of tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with tact and discretion.
• Knowledge of trends and issues in higher education, NCAA, philanthropy, and the Roman Catholic Church.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; ability to become proficient with new technologies and CRM platforms.
• Knowledge of USD’s policies and procedures.

$6,666.67-9,166.67 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.